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CSA Biweekly Update (07.02.2026)

  • 5 days ago
  • 6 min read

On the July 2nd, 2026, edition of the CSA Update

Happy Independence Day!



Honoring Representative Selina Bliss: 2026 Good Government Awardee Recognition


On Wednesday, July 1st, the Yavapai County Board of Supervisors and CSA President Alton Joe Shepherd presented Representative Selina Bliss with a 2026 Good Government Award! The Association is grateful for Representative Bliss's openness to our team and for her sponsorship of HB 2439: public cold plunge; rules; exemption (Bliss), which right-sizes regulation for small businesses operating single-use, above ground cold plunges by providing statutory clarity to agency rules that inadvertently, via overbroad definitions, subject these structures to the same regulatory burden as a multi-person, in-ground spa.


Kicking Off County Outreach: CSA President Visits Navajo, Coconino, and Yavapai Counties


Over the past two weeks, CSA President and Apache County Supervisor Alton Joe Shepherd and CSA staff began the Association's annual outreach to the 15 county seats to present an update on the progress CSA made on the counties behalf this past legislative session. So far, outreach presentations have been given in Coconino, Navajo, and Yavapai counties. The Association and President Shepherd look forward to joining the remaining 12 counties over the interim. Thank you to all of the counties that have hosted our team so far!



National PILT Fly-In: Supervisor Cline Brings AZ Counties Voice to the Table


Arizona was represented by Gila County Supervisor Woody Cline at the 2026 Payments in Lieu of Taxes (PILT) Fly-In in Washington, D.C., where county leaders from across the country met with federal agencies and members of Congress to advocate for continued support of the PILT program and Secure Rural Schools (SRS) funding. During the two-day event, participants engaged in congressional advocacy meetings focused on the future of federal payments to public lands counties and the importance of maintaining strong partnerships between local governments and the federal government.


A central message of the fly-in was that public lands provide benefits that extend far beyond county boundaries, supporting recreation, tourism, energy production, and critical supply chains nationwide. County governments that host federal lands are responsible for providing essential services such as public safety, emergency response, and infrastructure maintenance, making reliable PILT funding critical to local communities. Advocates also highlighted recent progress in Congress, noting that PILT funding is included in the House FY27 Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies appropriations bill. Supervisor Cline joined fellow county leaders in emphasizing that continued federal investment through PILT helps ensure counties can maintain the services and infrastructure necessary to support public lands that benefit the entire nation.

 

Long-time participants of the PILT Fly-in likely noted that previous fly-ins were in September. After evaluating prior fly-ins, NACo believed it to be more timely for the federal appropriations process to conduct it in June. And NACo narrowed participation to allow for targeted meetings to advance the cause.


New CSA Podcast--Off the Charts: Wayfair Windfall?


This week on Creatures of Statute, we bring you another episode from our series Off the Charts, where we dig into the data and tell the county stories most people, and most policymakers, don't get to see. 

 

The 2018 Wayfair decision is often cited as a major revenue boost for local governments, but what do the numbers actually show? Join us as we take a data-driven look at remote retail collections across Arizona counties, examine how online sales taxation changed after Wayfair, and compare those revenues to rising county costs, including mandatory ALTCS contributions.

 

Explore the data featured in this episode at https://www.countysupervisors.org/data 


View this week's episode on YouTube here, or listen to the audio here.


Save the Date: CSA Annual Policy Summit


In October 2026, Supervisors from across the state will meet in Coconino County for the Annual CSA Policy Summit. The 61 county supervisors use this event to vote on the Association's 2027 legislative, budget, and research agendas. Registration details will be out soon. Looking forward to seeing you all there!


Looking Back: Watch Archived Committee Meetings


As of June 13th, 2026, at 4:45 AM the Arizona State Legislature completed its duties for the 57th Legislature, 2nd Regular Session and adjourned sine die. The Governor has finished signing and vetoing all bills before her, meaning all official business has finally concluded. We want to congratulate everyone on completing another legislative session!


While there won't be any more session livestreams, the Legislature keeps an archive of the committee meetings every session. If you would like to access this archive, click here.


 Lifelong Learning: Upcoming NACo Webinars


Strategies for Sustainable Retiree Health Benefits

Tuesday, July 7, 2026 | 2 p.m. - 3 p.m. ET


The Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) has fundamentally reshaped the Medicare landscape, creating both opportunities and challenges for employers, public sector organizations, and pension funds that sponsor retiree health benefits. While retirees are benefiting from lower prescription drug costs and capped out-of-pocket spending, plan sponsors are now facing significantly higher financial exposure — especially within Medicare Part D.

This webinar will explore how the post-IRA environment is changing Group Medicare economics and what plan sponsors can do to protect both retiree outcomes and long-term fiscal sustainability. Attendees will gain insight into emerging cost pressures, including rising healthcare utilization, increased catastrophic drug liability, and evolving CMS reimbursement dynamics.


Participants will also learn actionable strategies to help manage costs without compromising retiree care, including:


  • Optimizing pharmacy benefit design in the new Part D environment

  • Leveraging value-based care models to reduce hospitalizations and emergency room visits

  • Implementing site-of-care strategies to lower medical spend

  • Investing in preventive care and wellness initiatives to improve long-term outcomes

  • Using data transparency and claims analytics to support smarter decision-making


Designed for county leaders, HR and benefits professionals, finance officers, and pension/OPEB stakeholders, this session will provide practical guidance for navigating the rapidly evolving Group Medicare landscape while balancing affordability, compliance, and retiree satisfaction.


To register, please click here.


What to Know Before You Go to NACo's Annual Conference

Wednesday, July 8, 2026 | 2 p.m. - 3 p.m. ET


If this is your first time attending NACo’s Annual Conference, this webinar is for you! In this brief session, you’ll learn how to navigate the conference schedule and make the most of all available opportunities, including:


  • Mobile tours

  • Policy steering committee meetings

  • Educational summits and workshops on pressing trends, and 

  • Regional caucus meetings


This webinar will connect you with NACo’s Membership Chair and staff, who will share tips for success and program highlights at the 2026 Annual Conference.


To register, please click here.


Grassroots Advocacy Series: In-District Advocacy During Congressional Recess

Thursday, July 9, 2026 | 2 p.m. - 2:45 p.m. ET


Prepare to make the most of the August congressional recess with this practical, how-to webinar for county leaders. This session will walk through NACo’s new recess advocacy guide and provide step-by-step guidance on engaging members of Congress while they are in their districts. Attendees will learn how to request meetings and site visits, understand when to pursue in-office versus on-site engagement and gain tips for hosting effective visits and maintaining relationships with congressional offices. The session will also highlight key in-district periods on the congressional calendar to help counties plan and act with confidence.


To register, please click here.


Island-Strong Finances: How Kauai County Built Resilience from the Inside Out

Thursday, July 9, 2026 | 2:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. EST


Hawaii's counties carry a unique weight: the responsibility of serving tight-knit communities while managing the financial pressures that come with island life. For Kauai County, the Garden Island, that responsibility has meant building a financial foundation strong enough to weather uncertainty from the inside out. With a $550 million budget and a community navigating rising housing costs, shifting economic drivers, and the ongoing demands of core public services, every dollar counts. 


In this session, Kauai County Treasurer Nancee Robles shares how her office partnered with three+one to generate over $20 million for county programs. Join NACo and three+one's Vice President of Client Servicing, Mike Ablowich, alongside Treasurer Robles for a conversation about what it means to protect taxpayer dollars, serve your community with integrity, and what counties across the country can learn from Kauai's approach.


This webinar is brought to you by NACo EDGE, establishing people, purchasing, and performance cost-saving solutions that can be applied to counties nationwide. EDGE is owned by NACo, advised by county leaders and 100% focused on solutions for U.S. Counties. Learn more about NACo EDGE here.


To register, please click here.

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